ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The managing attorney for a legal aid office in Albuquerque was selected Tuesday to run a newly independent state agency that provides legal representation to criminal defendants who can’t afford a lawyer.

Jorge Alvarado was unanimously appointed chief public defender by an 11-member commission, which interviewed four other candidates for the position.

Commission chairman Michael Stout said Alvarado will assume the job next month of running the Public Defender Department. He said Alvarado “showed a passion for indigent defense.”

Acting Public Defender Bennett Baur will continue in his post until Alvarado takes over.

Alvarado has been managing attorney for New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc. in Albuquerque since 2009. The group provides legal services in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, Socorro and Login to read more